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Show 32 CODE OF TERPSICHORE. That pretty little performance, The Progress of the Fandango, a highly boasted dance, is one of the proofs which, backed by the decision of the Spaniards, establishes the Fandango as the leading dance of Spain, and as the one which stands in the highest estimation. Their other dances are scarcely any thing more than imitations of it, and are looked upon but as second-rate. The attitudes, and the graceful and voluptuous groupings of the Fandango, the cadences and thrillings of the music, have a most potent effect upon every spectator, and the Spaniards give a loose to ecstatic feeling whenever they witness the above-mentioned dance. As an investigation and minute description of these dances seem requisite with the nature and subject of the present work, I feel myself called upon to present them to m y readers. They will behold in these pastimes- these imitative exercises of the Spaniards-depicted a transcript of their character and their taste. In their steps it is the lightness, the grace, the elasticity, the balance, which are remarkable ; and the majestic movements express those feelings which determine the national character ; namely, hauteur, pride, love, and arrogance. In the execution of the Spanish dances, the arms are always expanded, and their movements, let them be in what direction they may, always undulating. They at times represent the generous sentiment of an absolute protection of the object beloved, at other times they describe with vivacity the tender feeling it inspires, and the sincerity of the avowal. The eyes, oftentimes directed towards the feet, glance over every part of the body, and testify the pleasure which symmetry of form inspires them with. The agitations of the body, the footing, the postures, |